Nearly everyone has likely experienced acne in their lives. Whether you had it bad during your teenage years or still struggle with it now, chances are you know how miserable it can look and feel. However, what might surprise you is that cats can get acne, too. If you've noticed that there are bumps appearing on your cat's chin or face, it might be zits. Here's what you should know about feline acne.

Feline Acne

Most of the time, cats develop acne for the same reasons that humans do. It's generally due to a mix of irritation from what they eat or drink, poor hygiene, and/or hormonal fluctuations, though the last one is usually only an issue in intact cats who haven't been spayed or neutered.

When a cat's pores become clogged, irritation and inflammation can develop and lead to the development of acne. Feline acne looks pretty much identical to human acne and can cause your cat's fur to fall out in the affected region.

Potential Complications

For some cats, this condition will go away on its own in a couple of days. However, that's not always the case, and leaving it alone can lead to more problems down the road.

The biggest issue with acne is that it's irritating, and a cat's first reaction to that irritation is to lick and kick the area. This, of course, upsets the acne and can potentially tear them open, leading to more pain, potential bleeding, and a high risk of infection. Thankfully, preventing this problem isn't hugely difficult.

Treatment

If you think that your cat might have acne, the best thing you can do is head to the vet's office. They'll be able to determine very quickly with a visual examination whether it's acne or something else.

From there, they can provide you with medication to help the pimples to dry up and fall off more quickly. An e-collar is likely also going to go home with your cat. These are cone-like collars that prevent pets from licking and scratching themselves. It will allow your cat's chin or face to heal without them potentially making matters worse by hurting themselves.

For many cats, acne is a one-time thing, but others will experience it on and off throughout their lives. If your cat continues to have this problem going forward, your vet can look into potential allergic triggers in their food that may be increasing their risk of developing acne. Contact a veterinarian in your area for assistance.